The Average Jane Journal #27 - Letter To God

The Average Jane Journal
December 29, 2008 (27)

Wow, can you believe another year is ending? Does it make you look back? Does it make you look forward? When I think about a new year, I can’t help but think of how lots of people make new year resolutions. But I wanted to do more than just make meaningless resolutions, I keep thinking of all the things I would like to see in 2009. Then that made me think of a verse that I have come to love.

“Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

You have to be careful with that verse though, it’s not a magic wish list; it does not mean that God is going to give us everything we want. I encourage you to read the whole chapter to get the entire context. Think of what it means to “delight yourself in the Lord”; to be in God’s will and have a desire to glorify God with your life.

Have you ever written God a letter, expressing your desires to Him? Sure, He knows your desires already-but He still loves having that personal communication from you. So I would like to encourage you to write God a letter, expressing your desires. I have decided to be a bit vulnerable here and include part of my letter. Maybe it can help you get started on your own.

I hope you all have a great 2009, and my prayer would be for you(no matter what stage you are in spiritually) to dedicate just a bit more of yourself this year to God. If you are not already doing so, I suggest reading the Bible everyday. This is my second year to read the entire Bible. Sure, I don’t always understand what I read, and yes I admit there are days where I have to make myself do it. But I believe God blesses me for my dedication, and my desire to want to know His Word. If you feel like God is leading you to start a daily Bible reading plan, please try www.deliberatepeople.com for a schedule. You can purchase a journal or just print the plan out from your computer; look under resources. Enjoy writing those letters to our God, our Lord, our Rock, lover of our souls, the great I AM!!!


Dear Lord, I know you know my heart and know that this letter is not meant as a wish list or a magic wand. I’m prayerfully and respectfully writing you this letter just to share with you my heart’s desires; which I know you already know and have given me desires to match Your will. I have realized how much my desires have changed since I have tried to live a life dedicated to You. I only want Your will in my life, so I pray Your will in all these desires. Thank you for loving someone like me.

**I desire to have a fearless faith, to remember that You are faithful to me and have more power than anyone. I want to follow through fearlessly on whatever I feel like You have led me to do.
**I desire physical and spiritual rest for my husband. I am thankful for the strength You have given him during this season of our lives where he has had to work two jobs. But I desire for him to get back into church soon, not having to work on Sundays, and to find Your purpose for him within our church. To start relationships there and feel at home there like I do. I would love to see him maybe start a hiking small group someday. What do you desire for him to do?
**I desire to see my son take more steps on his journey to finding You and starting a real relationship with You. I desire for him to be a great man for You someday. What great plans do You have for him? Thank you that he is going to church and youth group; I know we are where You want us to be.
**I desire a job that I will love and that fulfills me.
**I desire that the rest of my parents’ lives be the happiest they have ever had-in their personal lives, their spiritual lives, and their ministry work. I desire for them to be loved, cherished and respected; and to see fruit in their work for You. Thank You for always providing for them.
**I desire to win a few battles every once in awhile in the war against those sins that have a hold of me.
**I desire for my life to bring You glory.
**I desire to be a better steward with all blessings you have given me. I don’t want to hold any possession more important in my life than You. I want to become better with the mind set that everything belongs to You, and if You want it-then take it.
**I desire to be a Godly counsel-not only have the knowledge to do so but take away fear and unworthy feelings that I could ever help someone.
**I desire to be closer to my brother and his wife. I desire for them to see You in great ways in their lives together. Thank you for their happiness and protection; and for giving me a brother 28 years ago.
**I desire to see great things in this country-a healing, a revival, people desiring righteousness, people coming back to love this country for what it stood for so many years ago. I desire protection for Your people in a country where so many are against us.
**I desire the continued growth of my church, to see great things this next year that can only be explained as being Your hand. I desire to find Your purpose for me there, and to do it fearlessly and with excitement.
**I desire for my son to start looking toward his future a little bit; start exploring what he likes and making goals for college, etc.
**I desire to be a better wife and mom.
**I desire to keep writing.
**I desire a Godly woman for my son, the perfect woman to match God's plan for my son.

The Average Jane Journal #26 - Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all!!

Dear Jesus Christ our Lord, thank you for coming to Earth and being born for someone like me. Thank you for the hope that you have given me through your birth, death, and resurrection. Thank you for Christmas, not the retail holiday, but true Christmas. Amen.


I just wanted to pass along this song because it talks about Jesus' birth all the way through to the cross-the whole story of what Jesus did for us. I love you all. As some of you know I lost my whole personal journal from 2008, so I'm feeling thankful right now for this jane journal that I felt led to start. At least I have something left, thanks for letting me write. Happy New Year.



"Natalie Grant - I Believe"


In a land far away
Time stood still
Long ago
There were shepherds in fields
Or at least this is how
The story goes
The story goes
Woman with child
And an inn with no room
Born in a manger
Foretelling it too
This is how
The story goes
But it is more than a fable
And it’s more than a fairytale
And more than my mind can conceive

I believe
The Wiseman saw
The baby boy the angels called the son of God
Heaven’s child
The great I am
Born to take away my sins through nailed pierced hands
Emmanuel has come
I believe

Two thousand years
Still the story lives on
God’s gift to us Sent to earth Wrapped in flesh
His only son
His only son
And the heartbeat of heaven
Confounded our wisdom
But it’s still the simple truth
That sets me free

I believe
The Wiseman saw
The baby boy the angels called the son of God
Heaven’s child
The great I am
Born to take away my sins through nailed pierced hands
Emmanuel has come
And I believe

Precious child
How can it be that God’s great plan
For his story
Would send you to
The lonely tree
That you would come
For one like me

I believe In a cross
I believe he came For one, he came for all
Heavens child became a man
Gave his life for me In spite of all I am
I believe
I believe
Oh I believe
Christmas lives in me
I believe

The Average Jane Journal #25 - How Well Do You Know God?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
What are you thankful for today? Did you make a list the last few days? One of the things that I'm so thankful for right now is my growing relationship with God. I am so thankful that because I have sought God, I am finding Him. I am getting to know God more and more everyday. I love the fact that God is everywhere but He is also so personal and is right beside me all the time.

How well do you know God? That can be answered by what name you call Him, which shows the experiences you have had with God and how intimate your relationship with Him is.

Think of it like this: All the people in your life may call you by different names. Those that have only heard of you may call you by your first and last name, or by Mr or Mrs last name. As they meet you and spend a little time with you, they start calling you by your first name. As the relationship grows, they may call you by a nickname-something that shows their familarity with you. Through the years of that relationship, knowing each other deeper and deeper, they may come to think of you as friend, sister, blessing, listener, always there, etc.

If you have children, they call you mom or mommy. An endearing name from someone that loves and trusts you. You could also be daughter, sister, granddaughter-all names given because of the relationship.

Then you have your spouse. What a perfect example of a daily growing relationship. You start out by meeting, not knowing each other very well-calling each other by first names. You spend more and more time together, the relationship growing with each experience together. Through years together and knowing each other deeply and intimately you could be called honey, babe, lover, etc.

See how your name can change when you are known more intimately? God wants you to call Him by many names, He has many. Study His many names, and cling to those that define your experiences with Him. The more intimately you know God, you will find different names for Him. Is He your Provider, Savior, Rock, Father, Lord of your life?

For more study on God's names, just google names of God. I had so many sites pop up that I decided to just let you find the one that you like the best. I have read a bit of the titus2menandwomen.org site. But this is a personal study, so you find what speaks to you most. I encourage you to find 4-5 names that you can cling to and define your relationship with God.

A great song to help you learn 4 or 5 names of God is "I Love to Say Your Name" by John Waller. Memorization is so easy when it is set to music, so this could be a start to learning some of God's names.

A cool video to watch about what all God is-go to www.youtube.com and type in "that's my king". A lot of different options will pop up. It's all the same words, but different backgrounds and pictures. The one that is called (rock mix edit), has pictures from The Passion movie. I saw a version of this at Leadership Summit and it was so awesome and powerful, especially with a church full of people. I wish I could find the version I saw. Enjoy!!

Have a great Thanksgving!! Seek God and you WILL find Him!!

The Average Jane Journal #24 - Thanks List

Psalm 118:28-29 "You are my God, and I will give You thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

I'm sure some of you have seen the youtube video going around about the parents that filmed clips of their lives with their baby that they knew chances of survival were slim. I watched it this morning, and with that on my mind-then my daily Bible reading and then listening to one of my favorite groups, this journal entry formed.

After watching that video I thought to myself "who am I to complain about anything going on in my life?" Sure, my life is not perfect but I SEE God in my life-what more can I ask for? Yes, things are happening that I did not anticipate but where else would I want to be but in God's will? Who else would I want to be in charge of my life? my future?

The verse above was part of my daily reading and I thought it fit perfectly. The video, Bible verse and the song(below) has inspired me to start a list of all things I'm thankful for. I know, it is a small thing but I feel it is something I'm to do. I would like to encourage you also to start a list, write on it everyday-maybe give yourself a goal to write on it everyday till Thanksgiving then read over it. Maybe read it with family on Thanksgiving. Continue after Thanksgiving if you feel you are meant to-hold onto it for those days when you need to remember what God is doing in your life.

When I thought about what music I wanted to listen to today, my mood chose Selah; one of my favorite groups. The very first song was "It Is Well With My Soul". I told myself that I want to live my life that way. Yes, I'm going to have hardships-but I want to hold onto God and the future He has prepared for me.

If you want to see the video I mentioned earlier, I have included the link. Grab your tissues. Basically I just want to say that we can always find things to be thankful for, no matter what is going on. I desire that remembering that will help you through whatever you're going through. Thankfulness changes us and triggers faith!! (thanks for that thought Pastor John)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th6Njr-qkqo&feature=related

If the link does not work, go to youtube.com and type in 99 balloons.

It Is Well With My Soul Words and Music by Horatio Spafford

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, It is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul
It is well, It is well with my soul.

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part, but the whole
Has been nailed to the cross
So I bear it no more
Praise The Lord, praise The Lord, oh my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound and The Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul.

The Average Jane Journal #23 - God Is Not Shocked

Well, it’s over; have you survived? At least all the commercials and junk mail are gone; we should always look for the good in every situation. (heehee)

First I just want to remind you that GOD IS NOT SHOCKED by anything; we might be, but not God. My God is BIG and if He wanted it to come to a different outcome, then it would have happened. I’m a bit fearful of what His reasons might be, but I also know God can do anything. If He wants to use a situation to show Himself-then He will. But we are called to be faithful to Him, no matter of fear or shock.

Whatever way you voted, just remember there is more to this than just who won. Our country is in moral decline, and while praying for our authorities the subject of moral decline has to be right there alongside that. An example of that decline is how badly the amendment of saying a baby is a human at conception failed. I was truly shocked at how badly that was defeated. But I guess there was a small glimmer of hope of Prop 8 being passed in California.

As I have said before this country needs a revival-a HUGE revival. Our country has a “heart” problem, not a Republican/Democrat problem. This country has turned from God. God has given me such a desire to see a revival, a turning back to Him. I often ask God where is our next Billy Graham? But I guess there doesn’t have to be one person, it’s up to ALL of us. If every one of us prayed for and had a great desire to see a revival, then we would “go out” like we are called. And we would live like we are Christians!! Do you live like you believe God is real and sees EVERTHING you do???

So anyway, after lots of rambling I guess I just want to say that God is in control. We are called to be faithful, no matter what. There was so much talk of prayer before this election, I hope that it will not go away now when it is still needed. I guess I was wrong in my first sentence of this journal, it’s not over. No matter who won or lost-prayer for this country is never over.

I really liked the daily email prayer I got a few days ago.


For Humility and Repentance
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.—II Chronicles 7:14

Holy God, as You move visibly in America, we are quick to speak of Your power and might. We praise and glorify You for such extraordinary strength and love, and thank You for Your faithfulness to our nation.

Lord, enable us now to come to You in humble intercession for our country, recognizing its sin and shortcoming, yet also knowing its potential and greatness. Forgive us for our transgressions, God, as a nation, and let us now move forward into a new day, preparing for a new administration. May we embrace the purpose You have for us. Let us see clearly Your destiny for us as a nation and as a people, and let us seek it, knowing that as we forsake evil, Your grace-filled forgiveness is guaranteed and Your healing is nigh. We ask this, Father, in Jesus’ name, amen.



In my daily Bible reading I was reading Ezekial 16:1-43. It’s a comparison of Jerusalem to a prostitute. Yes, a prostitute!! Isn’t that an ugly thought? But it was because of all the idols that Jerusalem put before God. (some of it was sexual sin, but ANYTHING you put above God in your life is an idol) What is in your life that you put above God? What areas have you not surrendered to God? Can God compare US to a prostitute? That comparison has just stuck in my head, like a shock strategy; just such an ugly image. Maybe thinking of it in a new way will help me to recognize those areas of my life I need to let go.


Don't forget to be praying for our new president.

The Average Jane Journal #22 - Chazown

I just wanted to share some questions with you. Pray over these questions and see where God leads you.


What do I love to do?

What do I do that has a significant impact on others?

What do I secretly believe I can do, but have never tried?

If money were no object, what would I do for the rest of my life?

What really angers me, a righteous anger(not just a pet peeve)?

What brings me bliss?

What good experience might God want to use?

What painful experince might God want to use?

"God knew exactly what He was doing when He created you. God gave you core values, gifts, and experiences. And where those overlap is where His Chazown(dream/vision) for your life explodes in spontaneous spiritual combustion. God has a divine destination for your life. What dream has your Father placed inside of you?" (book Chazown-Craig Groeschel)

What similarities do you see in your answers above? What do you think God is showing you?

The Average Jane Journal #21 - Bridgemaster

Growing up in church, I heard my dad tell a story that has stayed with me all these years. It was a story about a father who had to sacrifice his son to save a train full of people. It was a story to compare God's sacrifice of His Son to save us. For me this has been one of those stories that just stay with you, very impacting. Well, yesterday at church we watched a short video of this story, someone had made a movie out of this old story. It was so cool to see a story I heard so many years ago, and have never forgotten, in a new way. I thought you would enjoy the video, click on link below. If the link does not work, go to youtube and type in Bridgemaster.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFpWZPRiknA

The Average Jane Journal #20 - Revival

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34

I’m sure you have seen those verses a lot lately dealing with our upcoming election. What do they make you think of? What do they make you want to pray about? I wanted to share a dream I have had for awhile now. I would love to see this country have a huge revival-all across the country from all local government all the way to the top. Can you imagine that? Where all leaders wanted what God wanted? Where all leader’s hearts broke over the same things that breaks God’s heart? Where all leaders studied the Word of God and KNEW what was sin and disgrace?

All these months that I thought about this dream, has made me think of my church upbringing. As most of you know my father is a pastor and I remember having revivals at our churches. I have to say these are not fun childhood memories. Doesn’t that sound spiritual????? Here are some things that stick out, that make me not remember revivals fondly.

**Sometimes, I remember, the visiting pastor would have to stay with us. No child likes that, having to be on best behavior-maybe having to give up your room-you know like when a relative came to visit.

**Growing up, I went to church three times a week; that was a regular week. During revival week, we went every night; FOUR more times.

**Usually when there was a visiting preacher, different people in the church would want to have him for dinner. Sometimes our family would go with the pastor to families’ homes for meals. I hated doing this as a child. There we are, back to that “good behavior”. And I’m not exaggerating when I say there was one family, every time we went to their house I spilled something. I swear I was not doing it on purpose, I do not know why I was cursed. I remember the anxious feeling before every visit to their house. I remember it sort of being joked about by this family while we were there, but I didn’t find it funny because I knew my parents didn’t find it funny.

**I also didn’t like the idea of having to listen to another pastor. My dad was IT for me, and not only did I have to go to church every night-but I had to listen to someone I didn’t want to be hearing.

Like I said, the memories that revivals bring up in my childhood are not anything spiritual. Maybe your memories are different if you attended revivals. I laugh at myself now as I think back to these memories, but also feel a bit saddened. I accepted Christ at age 14, but just see all this wasted time that I did not live a life that God would have wanted. It’s pretty sad that when I think of the word revival, that those are the memories I come up with. I’m sure great things happened at all those revivals from my childhood, but I don’t remember that part of it.

I’m not a child anymore, so I want different memories-a deeper meaning of the word. I dream of this country seeing a revival. I came across an article that someone wrote, that wants the same thing for our nation. I found his comments touching, a definition that matches my dream.

"I think you have to identify what revival is not. It's not just emotionalism; it's not just a bunch of hype; it is not pure excitement. It is not a preacher just standing in a pulpit, hollering and ranting and raving and preaching about fire, hell, and brimstone. It's not about mass numbers of people coming to the Lord Jesus in salvation -- that would be evangelism.

"But what revival really is...it's God's people who have over a season of time grown cold, lukewarm, left their first love, and quite honestly are in a quagmire -- one foot in the world , one foot in the church -- and are thirsty." (written by Ryan Loveing)

We just can’t get past the fact that revival is about God’s people. Sure we want to bring others to Christ, it is our purpose on this earth to be Kingdom minded. But if you think about it, revival has to start with people that already belong to the Kingdom. Revival is reviving, which shows something has to occur that has already occurred before. Think of reviving someone’s life, you have revived them to living again-something they had done before. As God’s people, at one time, we had total “souled out”God hearts, as my pastor just recently said we were “bananas for Jesus”. We need to revive those hearts. We need to want what God wants, need to KNOW what is sin and disgrace, what breaks God’s heart.

So I hope that when you are praying for this upcoming election, on any level, that God will plant the word “revival” in your hearts. I pray that God will give you a desire to dream for a revival in this country. We need to be AWAKENED!!!! It’s up to God’s people!!

“Awaken” by Natalie Grant

Sometimes I feel like I'm just existing

I'm not really living

I'm only watching the time slip away

I've forgotten who I am in you

I'm not who I'm meant to be

I'm drifting farther away from my destiny

[Chorus:]Awaken my heart, awaken my soul

Awaken your power and take control

Awaken the passion to live for you, lord

Awaken me

My soul is longing, my heart is searching

I'm desperate for you to move

Give me a hunger, pull me closer I'm crying out to you

Awaken my heart, awaken my soul

Awaken your power and take control

Awaken the passion to live for you, lord

Open my eyes so I can see your presence Dwelling inside

Wake me up, cause I can't live another minute if I'm not shining your light

Awaken my heart, awaken my soul

Awaken the passion in me

Lord, awaken me to live my destiny

Lord, awaken me and shine your light through me

Lord, awaken me to live my destiny

Lord, awaken me and shine your light through me

The Average Jane Journal #19 - Ask God to Disturb You

“Most people die waiting! Yes, some go quickly-but for most of us we will die in bed-waiting!
Imagine yourself lying there, in bed and reflecting. Will you lie there with no regrets? Some regrets? Nothing but regrets?
The decisions you are making today are actually making the bed you will lie in while you wait to die.”

Wow, that’s quite morbid, right? But it might have gotten your attention. I want to suggest a book to you that I just started. It’s called Chazown, by Craig Groeschel.

Chazown is a Hebrew word meaning vision, dream, or revelation.

“Where there is no vision(chazown), the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18

Are you living your life with purpose and passion? What did God create you to do? What is your God given vision/dream?

What if your life changed the world even after you were dead?

What is your mission on this earth? What were you designed to do? Psalm 139:13-16

Do you have a desire to know what God designed you to do? Ask God to reveal it to you, and glorify Him with your life. How does living with focus, endurance, peace, and passion sound? This is a life lived knowing their chazown.

“God’s vision for your life is bigger and better than you’ve had the courage to even hope for. Your God is that good. That strong. And He loves you that much.”

“Are you willing to let God disturb you with dreams so big that you don’t know how they’ll be accomplished?” I love that question!!!!

I pray that this small taste of the book will spark in you a desire to know God’s vision for your life. Start praying about it, ask God to disturb you!! I have only read the first chapter-I can’t wait to see what God shows me. Maybe you will want to read it also.

The Average Jane Journal #18 - Something Big

Today I have been reading back through my journals for 2007 and 2008. I was looking for something specific but instead found an entry that has sort of repumped me. I was already feeling a renewed hope in God today, a renewed faith for following Him. I loved being reminded of my great desire to glorify God with my life, and to do His will.

A lot of you that read this journal go to Southlink, and just like you guys my church is also going through an expansion. We have outgrown our building and property; and Glory to God for such a problem to have. Anyway, just wanted to shout out to them, that I know what they're going through and I hope this song will remind you just how exciting all the work ahead is going to be. This song would be such a cool "theme song" while going through an expansion campaign. (And yes, I remember that the author of this song used to be the worship guy at Southlink.)

But no matter what God has given you to do for Him, I just pray that you can listen to this song and be "pumped for God". I pray that it will encourage you, like it has done for me once again. What is your "something big"? Don't let the word "big" scare you. Whatever you do for the Kingdom is BIG-no matter how small it feels. Just obey!!

"Attempt something so big for God that it is sure to fail without Him.” I’m not sure who first spoke these words, but they’ve never left me. I believe the desire to be a part of something greater than ourselves is built into the core of each one of us. That’s the reason I left Georgia to become the worship pastor of a church plant in south Denver called “Southlink.” I believe that this song will strike a chord with many visionary dreamers who are contemplating stepping out and doing something that only God can truly do through them. In his book, “Visioneering,” Andy Stanley said, “A divine vision done God’s way and in God’s timing is sure to succeed.” (paragragh by John Waller)

"Something Big" by John Waller

I wanna see something I've not seen Something so big
I wanna be a part of something great Greater than me
It's time to dream big dreams To see Your visionBecome reality
‘Cause it’s for You, by You, those who Love You wanna do
Something so big It’s destined to fail without You, Lord
It’s gonna fail without You, Lord
Something so great It takes a miracle to do
We, Your children Wanna do something big for You
We, yes, we are gonna sing a brand new song Something so strong
We will be the sound that wakes the dawn Something so loud
It’s time for breaking through ‘Cause there are no limits
For he who holds the truth
When it’s for You, and by You, and those whoLove You wanna do
Something bigger, something greater For the glory of Your splendor
Something bigger, something greater
Tell the story of Your wondrous love Your wondrous love
Those who love You wanna do
As long as we live, let us do something so big for You

The Average Jane Journal #17 - Is God In Charge of the Future

Well, hello everyone; it’s been awhile. I have been MIA for awhile-and without going into a long story, let’s just say that I’m happy to be back to a somewhat normal state of mind.(if I can be called normal)

A lesson I just had in my small group really touched me and I wanted to share it. It helped me gain a bit of my spiritual strength back, along with lots of prayers and tears. (Thank you to those of you who have been checking on me. )

If someone were to ask you if God was in control of the future, what would you say? Of course we would all say YES. But do we live like we really believe that? I know for me, I try so hard sometimes to be in control of my life; most of the time I do not even realize I’m doing it.

But what about when God asks you to do something hard, or out of your comfort zone? Is your automatic response peace, because God is in control of the future? I can’t say that for myself, I analyze EVERYTHING!!! To my own defense I like to say that I analyze things because I want to be sure it is God’s will, but I admit that sometimes it is just my own mind trying to control my life.

I encourage anyone that finds these notes meaningful to go watch the lesson; it was awesome. Just go to http://www.lifechurch.tv/. Click on blue box that says “I want to watch Messages”. Then click on Search Videos. Search for the series called You Don’t Have What It Takes, then click on Part 4. The lessons are all about 20 minutes long.




YOU DON’T HAVE WHAT IT TAKES

“YOU CAN’T CONTROL THE FUTURE”

1. Achieving greatness will require you to leave.

“The LORD has said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. Genesis 12:1-4

In Abram’s case, leaving was a physical leaving from his home. But a life of faith is always a life of leaving. You might need to leave your old life behind, and give your heart to Christ. You might need to leave your habit of trying to control your life. Are you stuck spiritually? Do you need to leave a great pain behind? Do you need to leave a big sin behind?

3 Reason People Don’t Leave

** People live by sight and not by faith.

The Lord said to Abram, “leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” Genesis 12:1

Abram did not know where God was leading him, but he went-living by faith. He was not living by sight. Leave where you are and let God take you where He wants you to go. Listen to God and leave in faith!! The enemy is always trying to tell us to live by sight, not by faith.

By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place he would receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11:8

**People have a fear of failure.

We all understand this one. Fear of failure is such a mighty tool the enemy uses, I get hit with it all the time. The enemy tells us “you don’t have what it takes”. He is right, our future is in God’s hands, not our own capabilities. Do you trust that God is in control of your life? Do you fear failure too much? We can also fear leaving our comfort zone, but remember Abram didn’t let that paralyze him.

**People don’t trust God with their future.

Ok, here is the big one. Do you really trust God with your future???? Are you seeking His kingdom and righteousness????

“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’. For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:25-33

I put myself through a lot of worry lately, and this lesson made me realize that if I’m seeking God’s will and truly want to glorify Him with my life-then that’s all I can do. God knows my heart’s true desire, and He IS in control of my life. Remember the song that says “Lord, keep me in your will so I won’t be in your way”? I have been thinking about that a lot lately. I know God is in control of my life, but I want to be yielded to His control.

2. When God says leave He always gives you a promise.

Look back up at Genesis 12:1-4. Notice that God gave Abram one command, but 7 promises. No matter what you need to leave behind, God is there with you as you go forward. God also promises us eternal life, when we accept Christ as our Savior. But in your own personal “command” that God gives you, there could be other promises as well.

Are you aware of God’s promise to you?
Have you forgotten God’s promises to you?

The Average Jane Journal #16 - Songs Speaking to Me

I don't know about you but I get a lot of encourgement from music. Today was one of those days where I craved just listening to words from certain songs and being ministered to through the words from God. Today is one of those days where I couldn't tell you what my mood is-I'm sad, angry, disappointed, fearful; but at the same time hopeful, faithful, and desired to be yielded.

Just wanted to share two of those songs with you. The first one is definitely just a prayer to God. You can insert anything for the word "friend"-parent, child, a situation, spouse, a hurt, this country, etc. Today I have inserted just about all of them. The second song is just something God is working on in me, part of that being yielded.

Love you all.

"Prayer for a Friend" by Casting Crowns

Lord I lift my friend to You. I've done all that I know to do.

I lift my friend, to You.

Complicated circumstances have clouded his view. Lord I lift my friend up to You.

I fear that I won’t have the words that he needs to hear.

I pray for Your wisdom , oh God. And a heart that's sincere. And Lord I lift my friend up to You.

Lord I lift my friend to You. Though he's my best friend in the world, I know he means much more to You. I want so much to help him, but this is something he has to do. Lord I lift my friend up to You.

There's a way that seems so right to him. But You know where that leads. He's becoming a puppet of the world. Too blind to see the strings.

And Lord I lift my friend up to You.
Lord I lift my friend to You. I've done all that I know to do. I lift my friend, to You.

"Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath

Looked down from a broken sky Traced out by the city lights

My world from a mile high Best seat in the house tonight

Touched down on the cold black tile Hold on for the sudden stop

Breath in the familiar shock Of confusion and chaos

Are those people going somewhere?Why have I never cared?

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missing

Give me your love for humanity Give me your arms for the broken hearted

Wasnt it far beyond my reach? Give me your heart for the once forgotten

Give me your eyes so I can see again again yeah yeah

Step out on a busy street See a girl and our eyes meet

Does her best to smile at me To hide whats underneath

There's a man just to her right Black suit and a bright red tie

To ashamed to tell his wife Hes out of work Hes buying time

Are those people going somewhere? Why have I never cared?

I've been there a million times A couple of million eyes

Just moving past me by I swear I never thought that I was wrong

Well I want a second glance So give me a second chance

To see the way you see the people all alone

The Average Jane Journal #15 - What is Your Godly To-Do List?

I was attacked this week. Were you?

I was spiritually attacked by the enemy. He works so hard to get us to quit doing God’s will.

During my Bible study today(Beth Moore-her studies are awesome-I highly suggest. Yes Regina, all these years you were right!!!), anyway our topic hit right on for the week I had had. On a side note, the last two weeks we had to go ahead two weeks because we couldn’t find the next dvd. So today we went back and did the two lessons we skipped-God’s timing???? Anyway, she made a statement about satan and how he works. The enemy will do everything he can to get us to quit, then he turns around and makes us feel even worse by calling us quitters and cowards. You’ve heard that voice, right?

I am thankful to my Lord for my growing strength in Him-and for those of you that I leaned on and cried on a shoulder. I got through my discouragement and am back on track.

Our lesson today was all about goodness-a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Her main point is that this fruit of goodness is always doing; actively benefiting someone else. This is something God has been opening my heart to for awhile now. I have realized my great desire to bring Him glory and to do what He wants of me. Do you realize that God made a to-do list for your life before you were even born? Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

I have read that before but it means something now-now that I want to know what God’s to-do list is for my life. I am saddened to think of how long I have lived already and how many things I have not done on that list. What have I missed?

Beth talked about our culture of being self-absorbed, how easy it is for us to get bored. How much trouble do people get into because of pure boredom? Well, as she said in her southern twang and right to the point “they don’t have enough to do”. There is plenty to do in God, we all need to seek what God’s to-do list is for our individual life. We are all made different, with different passions and gifts, so our lists(good works) will be different from each other. And remember He knew what our good works would be before we were born!!! Isn’t that cool?

So back to my attack-this whole lesson today of course had me crying like a baby. (yes I know, I cry a lot these days)But I felt God was telling me the whole time that I was right where He wanted me to be and that I was working on my to-do list. I might not have handled my attack as bravely as I should have, but I didn’t get up and run like I wanted to.

So to close, the coolest thing God showed me today(via Beth) was found in righIsaiah 58:8 “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” The whole scripture you should read is verses 6-11, but for space I only wrote the one verse. She called this scripture a prescription for our life-God’s promise when we “spend ourselves” on others.

I loved all the promises but the last part about the Lord being our rear guard is what I believe God really wanted me to “see” today. Of course we see that as a way of God saying “I got your back”, and believe me I’m thankful for that. But listen to what the Hebrew meaning of “rear guard” is-to gather in, collect…as in harvest.

So God goes behind us(rear guard) and does the gathering when we plant the seeds(good works). We don’t need to look back and see if there is a harvest-that is His job. So when I was attacked I started telling myself that I could never make a difference in others’ lives-but it’s not my job to bring in the harvest. I am just to plant the seeds and keep looking forward. We can get discouraged when we try to look back and see if any of our seeds are growing. Just keep planting-that’s our job.

So what’s your to-do list? And are you doing it?

The Average Jane Journal #14 - Is There Joy In Your Life?

I am writing this with tears still streaming down my face-don’t worry, nothing bad has happened. I just finished watching The Bucket List, and pretty much cried like a baby through most of it. I loved the beautiful friendship and genuine love that was formed between the two main characters.

This morning before watching the movie I had been thinking about writing a quick journal entry asking for prayer. I woke up feeling so overwhelmed of all the need that I see around me. There is so much to pray for, so many hurts and needs in the lives of all the people I care about.

So after my heart was breaking about more things to pray for amidst my circle of people in my life, I woke up feeling overwhelmed. I felt like I needed help, that maybe I couldn’t do it-“feeling” is just too much for me. I am always questioning myself and how I’m doing on this new journey God has put me on-I’m sure there is someone much better for the job.

So anyway, back to the movie. I don’t know if you have seen the movie-which I do suggest, it’s very touching. And I’m not going to pretend it’s some scriptural, faith based movie-but of course the subject of death always brings up faith questions; no matter what you’re belief is.

But one scene in the movie was very eye opening to me, and helped me deal with my original thoughts I had when I woke up. The two characters are in Egypt, looking at pyramids. One of them tells of an Egyptian belief about two questions they are asked when they die. Their answers to the questions determine whether they go to Heaven or not.

Now first let me say, I am not writing about that belief-I do not believe that. Entry into Heaven is through faith in Jesus Christ only. But the two questions were awesome questions, that we can use in how we live our lives on this earth.

The questions are “Have you found joy in your life?” and “Has your life brought joy to others?”. I can just imagine Jesus asking those questions. That pretty much boils down to what our lives should be. As believers we should find joy in our life through Jesus, and the fact that our names are written in the book of life-our reservation is already made, no matter what happens here on earth.

And the second question, would carry out the commandment of loving others. If others find joy through our lives, we must have loved!!!! And maybe led others on that path that leads them to their own joy in Jesus Christ.

So, my feelings are totally different from this morning. Yes, I still feel overwhelmed but I realized I am finding joy in being on this new journey and praying for people I care about. It has been my desire to be used by God, and to bring Him glory and I believe He has put me where He wants me. Even if that is just to pray for people that probably have no one else that prays for them. Seeing God in little moments recently in my life has been JOY.

So my answer to the first question is definitely YES-not only my joy in MY salvation but joy in realizing I am where God wants me to be. We are never promised an easy life this side of Heaven, just a companion to live it with us. So when I feel overwhelmed, I must remember I’m not alone.

The second question I assume is not meant for us to answer about ourselves. Maybe that’s a question meant only for others to answer about us. But you know what? Not for my glory, but for God’s, I do want the answer to that question to be yes about my own life someday and hopefully I will continue to strive for that-even in the littlest ways; wherever God leads me.

And yes, I’m still crying.

The Average Jane Journal #13 - Are You Holding Onto A Wound?

Wounds or Scars??

(I just want to give credit where credit is due. Most of the information in this entry came from a Beth Moore study that I just had. It was so powerful to me, that I wanted to share it.)

Hebrews 5:7 “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverant submission.”

Are you holding onto a wound? Why do we choose to do that? I know from experience that I have held onto wounds. Even though it made me miserable, it became a part of me. I didn’t want to let it go, I felt like I had the right to hold onto it. Writing that down makes me realize how crazy that sounds, but I don’t know how else to explain it. I’m sure at least some of you know what I’m trying to explain. There are also other types of wounds that we “forget” we have. We don’t really know they are still a problem in our lives till something happens and we realize that wound is still there.

No matter the type of wound, if it is still open and bloody then God cannot turn that wound into a scar. We need to let God start healing that wound, we need to bow down to God in this pain. Just give it to him and if you have to, then use “loud cries and tears”. Bow down to God, submit to Him in your pain and tears. I’m sure you have experienced your own children running to you with “loud cries and tears”, so too does our Heavenly Father want us to run to Him. Go to God with your rawest emotions, be honest about your pain.

Psalm 147:3 “He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.”

The Hebrew word for “wounds” means “pain, wound, sorrow, affliction, grievance.”

The Hebrew word for “binding” means “to bind, to wrap around, cover, envelope, enclose.” Isn’t that cool to think of God doing each of these meanings!!! Don’t you just want to be enclosed in His arms? God does not wish for us to be in pain, he wants to take away our wounds. He loves us so much, He created us-why would he want us to go through life with an open wound?!

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God;….”

Wounds need binding and binding takes time. At this time in the study Beth brought out a big ole’ teddy bear sitting in a chair. She wanted to give us a visual of being still while God wraps our wounds. With the teddy bear in the chair, she began to lovingly wrap bandages around its arm and foot.

Are you giving God the time to work you through your wound? Submit, bow down to God. We don’t have to be in pain forever. We can and need to let it go. Our wounds need binding. Spend some time with the Lord and deal with your wounds. You’re stopping God from working in ALL areas of your life. We need to trust God that something on the other side of that healing is something glorious. We need to let God minister to us, so He can minister through us.

That’s where our scars come in. In a physical wound, when it heals there is a scar. It is not bloody or open anymore. The same with our “inside” wounds, after healing comes a scar. Scars show the other side of healing. Sometimes the scar goes away, but usually in a really big wound we keep that scar. That scar can be our ministry to others. We can show someone else our scar and share with them how God healed your wound. Our scars can bring someone else hope. Just think of doubting Thomas and how Jesus’ scars brought him hope by touching them. Let others “touch” your scars if you can bring someone hope.

The God of All Comfort 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

Life is hard. Life hurts. Life breaks. But God binds our wounds if we give them to Him. What wounds do you have that are hindering God’s work in your life? Do you have wounds or scars?

Do you have any idea how much God loves you friend? I believe that the act of binding our wounds brings God such joy. I’m not saying God likes for us to be in pain, but His joy is felt in being able to express His love to you as He is “bandaging” you and “enveloping” You close to Him. Can you picture yourself sitting in that chair, instead of the teddy bear? Let God love ON You.


Whatever You're Doing by Sanctus Real

It's time for healing time to move on

It's time to fix what's been broken too long

Time to make right what has been wrong

It's time to find my way to where I belong

There's a wave that's crashing over me

And all I can do is surrender

(Chorus)Whatever You're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace

It's hard to surrender to what I can't see

but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone Time to begin again

Reevaluate who I really am

Am I doing everything to follow Your will

Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills

So show me what it is You want from me

I give everything I surrender...

Time to face up Clean this old house

Time to breathe in and let everything out

That I've wanted to say for so many years

Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever You're doing inside of me it feels like chaos

but I believeYou're up to something bigger than me

Larger than life something Heavenly

The Average Jane Journal #12 - Heart, Not Politics

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14


Yes, I know I have written on this verse before; but I just can’t get away from it. The last couple of days my heart has been heavy thinking about the condition of our country. I don’t like talking politics, and I know it’s a first reaction to think it’s politics when the subject of our country is brought up. But to me, it’s more of a faith related topic-a heart condition of our country; and not just our heart, but God’s broken heart.

I’m just going to be open and vulnerable here-does anyone else ever get overwhelmed at ALL the many things that need prayer in our country today? I feel that way a lot lately. The past year or so my heart has started mourning a little more everyday at the decline of our country’s heart. I have signed up for numerous daily emails letting me know what is going on in the political realm of things. I get a daily email with a prayer for me to pray about the upcoming Presidential election. And I have to be honest, the information is so overwhelming.

My mind has been non stop the last few days. As some of you know I attended the Willow Creek Leadership Summit, via satellite on Thursday and Friday. You can’t help but come home pumped up from that, and I was/am. That night I received an email that some of you might have seen going around. It’s from a woman that went to a conference and one of the speakers was Kay Arthur, a very respectable Christian speaker. The author of the email wanted everyone to know how awesome the conference was, and how Kay Arthur said she feels like God told her that our country was headed for a physical famine. The woman’s heart was sincere and passionate that everyone start praying for our nation. My first reaction was fear, I would respect something from Kay Arthur. And I even sat down to journal on the email, with a copy of the email attached. Something was telling me to check it out and see if it was true. So I researched it, and found a letter from Kay Arthur on her website saying that it is not what she said. She actually said that we, as Americans, are setting ourselves for famine. She gave examples of cost of foods going up, and crops being destroyed by weather. She was making a point that famine is one of the judgments God uses when His people turn from Him. (Ezekiel 14:12-20) I don’t believe the author of the email meant any disrespect to Kay Arthur, she was being sincere with what she thought was said and wanted people to know about it.

While I was glad to hear that she had not had a prophecy, I also knew it could happen; I don’t doubt it at all.

I read from the Old Testament almost every day and the whole theme is pretty much how the Israelites(God’s chosen people) would screw up, cry out to God, God save them, they follow God sincerely for awhile, then the cycle starts all over again. There are many prophets, judges, etc that God uses to keep His people in line; but a lot of the times they do not listen to them. There is usually punishment of some type when they turn from God.

So I start wondering, can we relate to God’s chosen people? Can we read the Old Testament and put our country in the story or is all that only for them at that time? I believe, since Jesus came, that all Believers are now God’s chosen people. I believe that before Jesus, God’s chosen people were by descent-physical birth. But now we are by spiritual birth, so I think that makes us God’s chosen people now.

God hated all the “ugliness” that was going on that the Israelites got themselves into. They would abandon God’s ways and allow detestable things to go on in their country. We have detestable things going on in our country. I can just imagine God looking down on us, and with a heavy, broken heart shake His head. That saddens me, and also convicts me because a lot of times I feel like nothing can be done; that the decline is already so far advanced, that I feel like it can’t be stopped.

So then that brings me back to the verse, am I :
Humbling myself?
Praying?
Seeking God’s face?
Turning from my wicked ways?

I guess it boils down to, do we believe God can do anything? What would happen if we become a humbled country? And remember all the things listed above have to happen by Believers-not non Believers. They do not have the Holy Spirit to guide them in the right ways. This is God rallying all His chosen people to come back to Him.

That gets me to thinking, most of you if asked would say we are in the “end times” or getting close. Most Believers assume that because of the decline of things. But what if we’re not? (I’m not saying I know that, I’m just talking out loud.) What if this is one of those times where God’s chosen people cry out to God in unity and God “changes” the outcome. I know that is a subject all in itself. When something like that happens in the Bible, my first thought is “didn’t God know that was going to happen anyway, so He didn’t really change His mind, did He???”. I’m not going to pretend I understand all the ways of God.

I’m just saying what IF we do humble ourselves and in a situation where our country might be headed for punishment, our sincere hearts fill up God’s heart with so much joy that we have a revival in this country? What if when other countries, that have either turned from God’s ways or just never had His ways, when they are falling apart-our country stands back up, on righteousness??? Wouldn’t that be the ultimate in bringing God glory!!! He wants to bless His people!!!

So my prayer for our country is that God makes us hungry for peace(from sin) and grant us hope to see this land we love be healed. We are known as a land of freedom, but that freedom comes through God ultimately. I don’t want to live in a land where God lets others rule us, others that are against God. Do you? Do you want a revival in our land?

So politics aside, the answer is II Chronicles 7:14.



God in this City
by Chris Tomlin

You're the God of this city You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation You Are

For there is no one like our God There is no one like our God

Chorus 1:
Greater things have yet to comeGreat things are still to be doneIn this city
Greater things are still to comeAnd greater things are still to be done here

Verse 2:
You're the Lord of Creation The Creator of all things
You're the King above all Kings You Are
You're the strength in our weakness You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness You Are
Chorus 2:
Greater things have yet to comeGreat things are still to be doneIn this city
Where glory shines from hearts aliveWith praise for you and love for youIn this city
Greater things have yet to comeGreat things are still to be doneIn this city
Greater things are still to comeAnd greater things are still to be done here

The Average Jane Journal #11 - My King

I have always loved movies that are set in a time period where there is a king. I just watched one last week and was wondering why these type of movies interest me. There is always great sacrifice and great love, and there is ALWAYS duty and honor shown from the people that love their king. Of course, the majority of times the “good” wins in the end.

Then an awesome comparison occurred to me. I do have a King, and He has given a great sacrifice and shown great love for his kingdom. And you know what? The “good” WILL win in the end. The problem is-am I showing my King duty and honor?

In those movies that I love the king always has a select group of men that know him intimately, and is privy to all information regarding their king. They go wherever he goes and show great honor and duty in living for their king-whom they love and believe in. They listen to his commands and seek his guidance. And they stand up to anyone and anything that goes against their king. They always show great bravery and courage, and there is always some sort of battle in these movies. I’m not always into the battle and bloodshed, but love the brave hearts these men have for their king.

Our King also has a group of people that know Him intimately, Believers. Our King desires for us to know Him and live for Him. Are we showing duty and honor by standing up for Him and any sort of “evil” that goes against Him? What battles are we not fighting? I know that we are not in our eternal kingdom yet, but this is the kingdom that we have for now and in my opinion the “walls are crumbling”. And that convicts me, because I know there is so much wrong today but do I ever speak out against it? Most of the time I am missing that brave heart that the king’s men in the movies show. I desire to have spiritual duty and honor for my King. I have to pray for help in this matter. Usually my mindset is that the issues I don’t like are too big, and have too much support that there is nothing that can happen.

But then while pondering on all this God opened my eyes through a quote and then a Bible scripture that reminded me that “GOOD” is always here. Our King is always here to lead us through all battles, but His people have to SEEK Him and His guidance.

“Natural(non believers) persons have no means by which to be truly victorious over sin. They are driven solely by their own natures. We should not be surprised at the depravity that surrounds us. I am somewhat puzzled by a common attitude in today’s church. We believe that abortion clinics, godless school districts, pornographers and the like are the hindrances to revival in our land. God expects unredeemed people to sin. Revival has nothing to do with unsaved people. If God’s people would humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, then this nation would be healed in spite of every bar, every gambling hall, every gang, and every crack house.” (Beth Moore)

2 Chronicles 7:14
“ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

The Average Jane Journal #10 - Satan's Garage Sale

Satan's Garage Sale
Once upon a time, Satan was having a garage sale. There, standing in little groups were all of his bright, shiny trinkets. Here were tools that make it easy to tear others down for use as stepping stones. And over there were some lenses for magnifying ones own importance, which, if you looked through them the other way, you could also use to belittle others, or even one's self. Against the wall was the usual assortment of gardening implements guaranteed to help your pride grow by leaps and bounds: the rake of scorn, the shovel of jealousy for digging a pit for your neighbor, the tools of gossip and backbiting, of selfishness and apathy. All of these were pleasing to the eye and came complete with fabulous promises and guarantees of prosperity. Prices, of course, were steep; but not to worry! Free credit was extended to one and all. "Take it home, use it, and you won't have to pay until later!" old Satan cried, as he hawked his wares.The visitor, as he browsed, noticed two well worn, non-descript tools standing in one corner. Not being nearly as tempting as the other items, he found it curious that these two tools had price tags higher than any other. When he asked why, Satan just laughed and said, "Well, that's because I use them so much. If they weren't so plain looking, people might see them for what they were." Satan pointed to the two tools, saying, "You see, that one's Doubt and that one's Discouragement -- and those will work when nothing else will."

How does that story make you feel? It first made me see that I’m not the only one that gets tempted with doubt and discouragement. You see, most times I fail so badly with those two footholds that I get to feeling like I must be the only one. Second it makes me angry. Did you catch how those tools are “plain looking”? It makes me angry to think of satan having a good ole laugh when it comes to how many times he trips me up with these tools; how it’s so easy to make me doubt myself and God, and get so discouraged that it brings so many short “halts” in my spiritual walk.

As most of you know, the last year and a half has brought a new spiritual walk in my life. We all have things happen in our lives that brings on a “renewed, faster” walk with God. Even though those “happenings” were hard and painful, I am thankful for them. It has been an awesome part of my walk with God. Here on this earth, we will always be “walking”, but I’m closer to one of my many destinations on God’s itinerary for my journey.

One of those “happenings” is finding a new job. I don’t want to ramble on too much here, but most of you know that I feel like God has promised me a job; and that it will come through a way other than myself. I know it’s not the practical way to handle a job loss, but it’s my belief that it will happen in a way that will glorify God and not show my hand at all. Some days I do deal with doubt and discouragement though.

God has recently given me two verses to boost me and “stand back up”.

Romans 4:20-22 “Yet he(Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”

I felt like God was telling me not to waver, to stay strong in His promise. I don’t know about you but I have trouble with holding myself worthy enough for God to either do something FOR me or THROUGH me. I was given another verse that helped me to remember how much God loves me.
Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”

The last few days I have been reminded to hold fast to God’s promise, and that there is nothing wrong with my sincere desire for this situation to only bring God glory. At Bible study on Friday I told my story to the ladies in that class, and a couple of them prayed for me and my desire. When I got home that day I had a message from a friend(thank you Sonya) with a job she had found in a paper and she thought of me. It might not be the job for me, but it shows me that God has not left, even when I doubt. I did apply for the job, and I am a little excited but I want only to be in God’s will so if it doesn’t happen; that is alright with me.

I hope you will remember the story at the beginning of this entry next time you’re dealing with doubt and discouragement. Just think of satan and how much he loves those tools. Remember how the fact they are so “plain looking” is the reason why they work. Get angry(in a good way) about it, and strive to keep a better lookout for those tools. Talk about it with God and express to Him your desire to quit falling over those footholds. From my own experience, it feels like something I will never conquer; but prayerfully the battles will be fewer and smaller.

Let me just say that these doubts I am talking about are doubts that lead you AWAY from God, not doubts/questions that lead you TO God.

The Average Jane Journal #9 - Densensitized

I have been convicted about something this week and I have felt led to write about it. I didn’t want to, but I try very hard to listen to any “heart tugs”, (after I fought it of course).

While doing some homework this week for my ladies Bible study(which I’m behind on), I was studying the death that Jesus went through. I was convicted that I just do not give enough respect to the pain and suffering He went through. Don’t get me wrong, I have always believed that He died and rose from the dead. But for some reason I always just glaze over the part about the pain He must have felt.

I felt like God was telling me to look closer at how His son died. He knows I believe it, but I don’t really think about how much He really suffered for me. I’m not saying that God wants me to be morbid and sad all the time, but just to be more thankful of the sacrifice; the actual ACT. I know some people think that IF He is God than He could have went to the cross and felt nothing. But that’s not how it was, He had to suffer to cover all our sins.

I think that sometimes in our spiritual walk that God’s Word can become so familiar to us, that we may get a little desensitized to it. And for me, that’s especially true since I have been raised in church all my life. God showed me I take for granted what Jesus did for me, at least the suffering part of it. I was talking to a friend about this subject and she compared it to the stuff we put up with in our world today, like stuff on tv and movies, etc. We just become familiar with it and sometimes we lose our passion over it. So maybe that’s a better way to put it, I didn’t have a passion for that part of the story anymore.

I know even in everyday life, I don’t want to hear any stories about suffering. I never watch the news, I just don’t want to be faced with sad stuff. But when it comes to what my Redeemer did for me-I needed to stop and meditate on just how big a gift I have been given.

I went back and read in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John-the parts that tell of Jesus’ arrest, questioning, abuse & mocking, and death. Jesus suffered for us, He bore shame and disgrace.

I know this is all stuff we hear every Easter Sunday, but again I have gotten desensitized to it. I don’t want this to come across as lack of faith, it is not. I believe everything in the Bible. I just need to watch what I take for granted.

This entry subject might not apply to you, and I hope it doesn’t. It’s quite shameful for me to come to grips with this-it’s such an important part of our faith. But maybe there are other things you have become desensitized to-whether it’s something in God’s Word or something in the world that we put up with and we have lost our passion about. I pray that you will be encouraged to search your heart for those things.

Love to all,
Average Jane

The Average Jane Journal #8 - No one is Good/God Is Not Fair

I still struggle with writing this journal. I go back and forth with God, saying “who am I to be writing down my thoughts”. But when I doubt myself He gives me this “surge of excitement” to share the thoughts He gives me. I just want to remind everyone my desire that you accept these journals as if we were all in a room together and we were just sharing what God had shared with us recently. I worry that these come across as “ME ME ME”. Please don’t look at me, but look to HIM!!!

As I was preparing for a small group I’m thinking of leading this fall, I’m watching some dvd lessons. I heard a verse that I have heard many times, but just saw something in it that I had never seen before. You know it was just one of those ‘duh’ moments. Some of you smarter folks have probably already seen this!!!

I’m sure you have all heard the question presented to Believers “Why do bad things happen to good people?” To be honest, I have hoped no one would ever ask me that question. Because even though I would want to stand up for my faith, I really wouldn’t have known how to answer it. I’m sure I would have stumbled around till I made myself and my faith look foolish. I’m sure some of you are better at explaining things, but I seem to stumble. I am so afraid of saying the wrong thing that I just do not LISTEN.

Ok, so I’m stumbling and rambling right now.

Jesus answered “No one is good-except God alone!” Mark 10:18

Do you see how that answers the question? Jesus says it so plainly, how have I missed that? The question doesn’t need long discussions, or stumbling around for the right answer, Jesus has already answered the question.

Today is the Fourth of July, Independence Day; I wish you all a great day. As I was thinking about what that means, our independence, of course I thought of our troops and the freedom of our country. I would just like to ask that you remember our troops, no matter what your opinion of war is; I’m not here to speak on that-but our fellow countrymen should matter to us all.
But another thought came to me when I thought of Independence Day. We have another Independence Day, over 2000 years ago when Jesus gave His life for our freedom; freedom from what our sins deserve-hell. Just as we should care about our fellow countrymen that are fighting, it reminded me how I need to care more about people that are lost and do not have this freedom. Do you ever have people tell you God is not fair? Well, guess what-they are right-He is not fair.

“God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him,
as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:10-12

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to you all !!!!

The Average Jane Journal #7 - Miracles

I’m putting together stories of miracles from Christians all over the world. I’m asking you to help me gather stories of miracles. If you have experienced a miracle, please write it down and email it to me. Also, please forward this email to your relatives and friends, as I would love to collect stories from all over. Let me share with you how God led me to do this.

Last year something happened to a very dear friend that I considered to be a miracle. But when I wanted to share this with others I felt reserved in using the word “miracle”. Does anyone else ever feel that way? So this sent me on a journey of asking myself many questions.

Why did I feel like I couldn’t use the word miracle? Was it the reaction of others I feared? Or was it me that was just not comfortable using that word? Was it just my shyness and insecurity of talking about God?

Was it just the word itself? Is the broad meaning of the word ANYTHING that God does, because of His limitless power? Or does the word have the 'special" meaning of something unexplainable and mysterious and we do not want to disrespect the word or God by using it too much? Is there a difference between God supplying our needs and answering our prayers and a miracle? Is the definition different for everyone?

I started asking myself if I believe miracles still happen, which of course I immediately answer “yes, I do”. But was that a head answer or a heart answer?

I thought about when I hear the word miracle and what that makes me think of. I immediately think of Old Testament stories and things that happen in other countries, like the mission field. Did I think that miracles can’t happen in our everyday life? Was I living my life in daily expectation in seeing God’s miraculous hand? Or was I just living my life in a daily rut and not looking for God pointing Himself out to the world? Do I just take everything for granted and don't realize just how spectacular and awesome God is? I was starting to realize I wanted to live my life in daily expectation!!

I’m not saying we should throw the word miracle around without reverence; I’m just wondering what makes us feel like we can’t use the term in this day. Why do we not hear more about miracles that God is performing in everyone’s lives? Do we fear that others will not believe us? Or do we fear that unbelievers will think that believers are “out there”?

A miracle is an expression of faith in which we decide that act of God has occurred in which He acts on our behalf in a supernatural way or natural way so that the results of His action produce an unexpected outcome simply by nature of the timing. Others can tell you that it was just nature, but it is your faith that “sees” the miracle. Even if God does use natural events, the miracle could be the exact and perfect timing. So from the definition, a miracle is an expression of your faith. What others think or whether they believe us shouldn’t matter.

So of course God is still performing miracles, and even if we do not use that term we should always be glorifying God by telling others all that He does in our lives. It is a great desire that all people see that God is limitless. That same power that raised Jesus from death is still at work today. It is my desire that you forward this on to all your friends. Even if you think you know someone well enough and think they do not have a miracle story, send it anyway. I recently had someone tell me a story, someone I had known over 12 years and I had never heard the story before. So send it on, and see where God leads this email. I would love to hear from people all over the US and other countries. I’m excited to hear from you. It is my desire that any stories come from as close to the source as possible. If you know someone has experienced a miracle, please send them this email.


Thank you for your stories and just sending this email on to others. Even if you do not have a story to share, maybe it will open up your eyes to see God and the fact that miracles do still happen today. God is always "doing"!! All stories can be sent to the email below. Thanks and please let me know if you have any questions or comments. I’m not sure yet what God wants done with any stories I receive, maybe a website or something. Please know that if you send me your story, it could be used in some way. Please "clean up"(all previous forwarded email addresses) email before forwarding it on.


Ronda – Colorado, USA
miracleproject@q.com
June 2008
ARE YOU READY FOR A MIRACLE?

The Average Jane Journal #6 - You Are Twice His

I heard a story a couple of weeks ago that I thought was really cool. It compares a little boy's love for something he created, to the love God has for us-His creation!!!!

"YOU ARE TWICE MINE"

A young boy once built a small sailboat. He spent weeks getting all the pieces needed, carving and painting the boat. Once he was finished it was the most beautiful sailboat he had ever seen, and when he looked at it he felt the love he had for his creation.

Everyday after school the boy would take his boat down to the creek and sail it until the sun went down. One day, after some rain, the current was much stronger and the boy could not keep up with his boat and it got lost.

Everyday he would go down to the creek, hoping to find his boat. After a few weeks, he passed by a pawn shop and there in the window was his boat!! It was scratched and torn a little bit from it's journey, but he knew it was the boat he lovingly made. He went inside to explain to the shop owner that it was his boat, but the owner told him he had to buy it if he wanted it.

The boy went home and emptied his piggy bank. The next day he gave everything he had to the shop owner and was able to buy back his boat. The boy took his boat home and said, "Little boat, I love you even more now for you are twice mine. Once because I made you, but then you were lost to me, and now I have bought you."

This is a comparison to God and us. God made us but because of the wrong things we have done, we get seperated from God. But God has paid the price to buy us back. That price was the life of His only son Jesus, who died on the cross. If we ask Him to take away our sin, He will. We can be His again - twice His, for He made us, and He bought us.

DAILY CHALLENGE!!!
Every day, fill in the following sentences and give them prayerfully to God.

God, something that amazes me about You is ______________. (character trait of God)

God, thank you for __________________________. (something God has done for you)

The Average Jane Journal #5 - Rejoicing

Luke 15:3. Then Jesus told them this parable: 4. "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5. And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6. and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7.I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Jesus speaking in red)

I wanted to share a “rejoicing” story with you that I heard yesterday in church. We had a baptism service yesterday and one of them was for a little girl, who was about 7 years old. When people are baptized at my church, they write a small testimony telling of their journey to accepting Jesus. Someone reads it before the person is baptized. This little girl wrote about how she wanted Jesus and everyone else to know how much she loved Jesus. How simple, but yet how amazing that is. It reminded me of that child like faith we talked about earlier. Basically that is what it boils down to, this walk of faith we are on, just loving Jesus and wanting others to know and have what we have in Jesus. How do we make it so complicated the older we get? It just seemed so simple in that little girl’s words.

Our pastor talked about this little girl also before he baptized her. He said that when she was about 5 years old she told her mom she wanted to get signed up for church. In her young mind, since all her activities she was involved in required “signing up”, that was all she knew what to call going to church. Her family did not go to church before that. So her mom started looking for a church and found ours. In that two years time this little girl’s mom, dad, aunt, grandpa, and the little girl have all been saved. It was just such a cool moment spiritually, each of those people were there to see this little girl be baptized; and stood proudly as the pastor spoke of each one.
What rejoicing must have been going on in Heaven over these 5 souls saved; and it all started from a 5 year old little girl who wanted to “sign up” for church. God uses everyone!!!!

And on a personal note for me that made this special is that my son was there with me, watching all this and hearing what all this meant. I was not only thanking God for these souls that were saved, but I was also thanking Him for loving my son and for the hope He gives me that enabled me that morning to say to God “one day, Lord, one day that will be my son”. Then later in the day God answered another prayer of mine-concerning my son going to Mexico with the youth group. I had been praying that if it was God’s will then somehow He was going to have to give my son the desire to go. Well, last night Jackson made the decision to go to Mexico. Don’t you just love when we SEE God?

“Now faith is bring sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

The Average Jane Journal #4 - God's Home Movies

Hello friends, today I just want to share a Bible passage that really stuck out to me. Please go read Exodus 33:12-23; in my Bible it is titled Moses and the Glory of the Lord. Just that title lets you know that is going to be way cool. Ok, go read; then come back and read my ramblings.

I love the part where God hid him in a rock and walked by him. Isn’t that cool?! Could you just imagine?? I wished I could have interviewed Moses after that happened. I wonder if that was a moment with God that he pulled from memory when he was lacking strength and needed a little “pick me up”. I can’t imagine nothing would be a better “pick me up” than being close to the Glory of God. I think that is something we strive for everyday, just wanting to see God in our everyday lives. We can also use those moments when we are down and weak, so always write down your special moments with God.

When I read this scripture, I wanted to be in that cleft right alongside Moses. I could picture myself pushing him out of the way to see God’s back first. J

You know how you hear people say “I will ask God that question when I get to Heaven”? Usually, it is something they have pondered on and just quite don’t understand, or maybe it’s a “How did you do that God?” question. Or some people think of different people they want to see when they get to Heaven, whether it is family or someone from the Bible. Well, anyway, when I think of getting to Heaven and seeing God, I think of home movies. You know the actual footage of things happening in the Bible. Don’t you think he has saved those for me?! Surely, he had time to record all that He has done!!(grin)

This moment with Moses would definitely be one of them, just like the night in the manger, resurrection, animals going on ark, creation, crossing of the Red Sea, etc. The list goes on and on. Wouldn’t that be cool!!! Of course when we get new bodies in Heaven, maybe all our questions will just be automatically answered and maybe we will have memories that we didn’t have before. Who knows, but God!!

What would you ask God when you see Him?

If God had home movies, what would you want to see actual footage of; what are some of your favorite Bible moments?

Who do you want to meet in Heaven?

What special moments do you have with God, where you SAW God; moments that strengthen you when you are weak?


Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” YOU GO GOD!!!

The Average Jane Journal #3 - Keep Me In Your Will

I was just reminded by this song that I daily want to live in God's will, not my own.

KEEP ME IN YOUR WILL

VERSE 1
Sometimes I think I’m in control
And I act so foolishly
Facing problems on my own
I don’t know what’s best for me
My mistakes at times disturb
All the plans You have made
Lord keep me in Your will
So I won’t be in Your way

CHORUS
So put me where You want to
Not where I want to be
If I should ask for things I want
Just give me what I need
When I complain from time to time
Forgive me, Lord I pray
Keep me in Your will
So I won’t be in Your way

VERSE 2
Remind me Lord, I’m just a glove
In which You place Your hand
Not my will but Yours be done
Though I don’t understand
The best laid plans I’ve made
Somehow always go astray
Lord keep me in Your will
So I won’t be in Your way